chua movie

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (Special Edition)
$19.99
First, this is a good action flick for when you are bored. It has all the basics any would find in the adventure genre.


Unfortunately, some of the first "1" score reviews reflected some of my concerns. I would suggest approaching this movie as a fiction and based on an individual group of villains, as opposed to the entirety of the worship populace of their goddess. Not only is the depiction of Shiva being a God of Light figure and Kali being a demonic goddess inaccurate to the views of their religion, people still have this tendency to believe these stories reflect the culture. Consequently, I warn against this. When I watched the movie, the Thugee controversy was the least of concern when I saw what people were having for dinner in the film. In some ways I actually cannot blame people for thinking it negatively portrayed South Asians.

That aside, I had other critiques. The female lead, while played well, was not my ideal character. I also thought Lucas could have written a better movie if he actually made it like he did with Star Wars (which redeemed him in the end, as far as I am concerned). The story would have been better if it was deliberately portrayed as being based off a myth made by him and inspired by Hinduism, as opposed to have been based off what was already established (albeit with the addendum of negative colonial propaganda and orientalism). Not only would this remove some cultural representation (or misrepresentation) concerns, but it would emphasize his strengths.

If one can take this as what it is - a fiction - and try not to judge South Asians based on this film, I say this is a good film to watch for what it is. I personally preferred the other Indiana Jones movies for what they had to offer as far as content goes. I just would not would not call every German a racist Nazi (who even they had their heroes who opposed the inhumane ones).

Saint Jack
$9.98
Ben Gazarra plays a charming, roguish American ex-pat trying to find the American dream in Singapore. He's a hustler on the periphery who wants to open his own house and get off the edge.

He does, and how it all works out is what this film is about. That and a test of character, in this case, of a man you would not expect would have any.

It's a Bogdanovich film and a fine one. The director also has a supporting role as an arrogant power broker, and a sleaze. He plays it (ahem) very well. The script is a fine adaptation of the Theroux book.

The film would not have made it without U.K.'s Denholm Elliott, whose world-weary visiting Brit helps define Gazarra's role.

Elliott, after nearing passing out from the Asian heat and being ministered to by Gazarra: "Say, Jack, do you know where I might find a game of squash?"

Gazarra, with cigar, whiskey, and a wry smile: "Squash? The man can barely breathe and he wants to play squash...I'll see what I can do, Willie."

That's Jack Flowers, a man who makes a precarious living by seeing what he can do for people

The mood of the East in this film is beautifully created...from the chatter on the streets to the foghorns in the harbor.

"Saint Jack" came and went upon theater release but I saw it and then bought the VHS, now the DVD. I wouldn't be without it.

Metro [VHS]
$9.99
Michael Wincott made the movie as the physco killer, the movie was predictable as Murphy being superman saving the day. I almost expected him to start flying with a cape. Some of the action situation scenes has Murphy catching the bad Guy with unbelievable stunts. Michael Wincott is by far a superior actor, and should be the starring actor, but, he's not Black. Murphy should stick to comedy on stage.

Perth
$19.99
Singapore director Djinn's 2nd feature after "Return to Pontianek" or "Voodoo Nightmare" as it was titled on the U.S. DVD is billed as the Asian "Taxi Driver." Kay Tong Lim who has over 30 film & TV credits including "Shanghai Surprise" plays Harry Lee, a driver who is divorced after he badly beats his wife. Actually, Harry's a nice guy, as long as he's not drinking. When he gets drunk, he loses control. As he discusses life with his Indian friend, he longs for a fresh start to move from Singapore to the western Australian city of Perth. Sunny Pang plays Lee's buddy Angry Boy who gets him a job ferrying ladies of the evening to & from dates. Pang does an excellent job of playing this wild card that always seems to be on the edge between violence and underworld business. Harry becomes emotionally attached to a young Vietnamese girl Mai played by Ivy Cheng. She has a mysterious quality about her, kind of an Asian Mona Lisa smile. She explains that her family is very poor and owes money due to gambling; so she has come to Singapore to earn money to send back to her family. Lee gets Angry Boy to promise that he can buy Mai's freedom. When the stocky mob boss denies the request and Lee has been plowing down numerous glasses of liquor, the violent rampage that concludes the film is unleashed. Within the film are issues of poor uneducated people who have a dream of a better life. This crosscuts with the evils of drink, domestic violence and selling the girls. In its U.S. DVD release, "Perth" is a bit slow to start, but becomes interesting as we see both the good and the bad churning within Harry Lee. Djinn was nominated for an award at the Cinemanila International Film Festival for this. Enjoy!